Friday, January 15, 2010

(UPI) -- Authorities in North Carolina said a school bus being used as a marijuana greenhouse was well hidden -- it was buried underneath the suspect's garage.

Lenoir County Sheriff's Maj. Chris Hill said the Wednesday arrest of Jerome Murriell, who was pulled over with several pounds of marijuana in his car, led them to search the home of Linsey and Desiz Dail outside of Kinston, WITN-TV, Greenville, N.C., reported.

"The canines were brought in," Hill said, "and as a result of the dogs being brought in they located a hidden panel, or door, or wall in an out building."

Hill said the panel was disguising a tunnel leading to an underground school bus that had been outfitted as a marijuana growing room.

"To actually dig a hole and place a school bus inside of it and cover it up with dirt and have a tunnel to it to cover up, that whole operation is at the very least unique," Hill said.

He said investigators found 60 mature marijuana plants inside the bus.

Sheriff's officials said all three suspects were charged with conspiracy to manufacturing marijuana, trafficking marijuana and possession with intent to sell marijuana. They were taken to the Lenoir County Jail.